This is another one of those releases that's just impossible to categorize, which is a great thing since the element of mystery appears to be at the forefront of what Sorc'henn is about. The disc is packaged in a unique oversized paper case which has the appropriate appearance of a black metal release- black on grey exterior, old English style fonts, picture of a full moon over lifeless tree branches inside... Thankfully, this is not just another generic black metal cd. It's actually quite beautiful at times, but there's still that element of dark mystery that creeps up under everything and eventually threatens to overwhelm the work entirely.

The first track clocks in at a little over 21 minutes and it's my favorite part of the album. The piece is built up around a simple harmonium melody that is looped irregularly for the full length of the piece with little modification. This description might sound uninteresting, but somehow it's incredibly captivating. Maybe it's the intentional primitivism that seems to inform Sorc'henn's aesthetic, or just the overwhelming atmosphere that is created from this little woozy melody- but something just seems so right here. There's a whispered voice reciting some Poe-esque poetry that is a little overly-dramatic, but it's saved by the detached, dreamy delivery and lo-fi recording quality which makes the voice barely audible at times.

There are a couple shorter atmospheric tracks which come next. Each one further showcasing Sorc'henn's unusually poignant take on gritty atmospheric ambience. Then it's on to the album's closer, another epically-long piece built around a repeated loop. This time, the loop is made up of a lazy bass line that lingers in an unresolved space. I believe that this track is a collaborative effort with members from a couple other bands, which would explain the addition of some particularly creepy and unusual male vocals. Lots of screeching and grumbling abound here, but never in an aggressive sort of way. It's more like a traditional black metal song has been deconstructed and abstracted. This piece tests my patience a little more than the opener, but there's still enough spatial nuances to prove interesting.

"Faro" is truly a captivating disc. It begs to be listened to with full attention, but would still spill easily into the atmosphere if that was the intention of the listener. The rough, unique aesthetic and intense focus that Sorc'henn displays is rare and deserves to be heard. 9/10 -- Charles Franklin (1 April, 2009)